25th March, 2013
A former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili on Sunday in Abuja joined other prominent Nigerians to pay tribute to Professor Chinua Achebe.
The former minister described the literary giant as her hero, adding that the death was a great loss to the nation.
This is contained in a statement, signed by Mr. Isaac Umunna, Special Assistant (Media) to the former minister.
“Chinua Achebe was not only from my state, Anambra, he was also one of my heroes and role models right from my days at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he taught.
“I therefore feel a deep sense of personal loss by his death. It is like losing a part of me.
“Professor Achebe’s death leaves a void not only in Nigeria and Africa but globally because he is one of the best novelists the world has ever produced,” she said.
The former minister said that Achebe would be greatly missed, adding that Nigerians and indeed, the world should take solace in the rich legacies that he left behind.
Achebe, described by his admirers as the “Eagle on Iroko” is best known for his novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’.
Until his death, Achebe served as a professor at Brown University in the U.S. He died on 21 March, at the age of 82 years.